Volleyball on Water enchants players and fans alike in Ljubljana

The third ‘independent’ edition of Volleyball on Water, this year run under the theme ‘Magic Ljubljanica’, offered the most diverse program ever, with tense battles involving players from three continents, bites from Michelin-starred chef Luka Košir, and a rich music-dance programme starring Pro Dance dancers of Miha Krušič, illusionist Magic Alexander, Acro Connection, and Classy Band.

“This year’s Volleyball on Water tournament offered a story imbued with magic and tense battles between competitors from 14 countries. The idea was to allow visitors to experience the magic of the Ljubljanica with as many senses as possible. While our national team is still writing its story in the Volleyball Nations League and living up to high expectations from fans, Volleyball on Water gave the ardent supporters of this sport the opportunity to feel the passion for Volleyball in a different, but equally heartfelt way. Spectators who filled the banks and bridges around the venue enthusiastically welcomed the tense sports battles, rewarded the shows with loud applause, and praised and enjoyed the culinary offerings of the Grič restaurant,” summed up the essence of the two-day spectacle held in the Slovenian capital the project manager from the Extrem agency, Kristina Taja Grünfeld.

The tournament 

The main story of Volleyball on Water was once again written by the athletes. 32 players, coming from 14 countries, three different continents, competed in the only such elimination tournament in the world. What makes it so unique is the attractive floating and partially submerged platform on Ljubljanica river, which at night transforms into a dazzling LED-lit battleground.

The final matches were again electrifying, with fans witnessing the same women’s final as last year, albeit with a different outcome. The previously undefeated Nina Lovšin and her cousin Tajda were defeated by the Polish duo Monika Jagla/Malgorzata Vlk. The Czech champion Martin Melmuka, who played this year with the audience favourite Alan Košenina, also failed to defend his crown. In the final, they had to concede defeat to the New Zealand duo McManaway/O’Dea. 

Results 

Women 

1.    Monika Jagla/Malgorzata Vlk (POL)
2.    Nina Lovšin/Tajda Lovšin (SLO)
3.    Maja Marolt/Zoja Kalar (SLO)

MVP: Monika Jagla

Men 

1.    Jack McManaway/Ben O’Dea (NZL)
2.    Alan Košenina/Martin Melmuka (SLO/CZE)
3.    Malo Foncarnier/Iskander El Ghouti (FRA)

MVP: Ben O’Dea

The tense fights and shows were also watched by members of the Slovenian men’s volleyball team while they were preparing for the Nations League. Among them was the event’s ambassador, Rok Možič, who will also host his own volleyball camp this summer: “This event is a good promotion for Volleyball in general. It always attracts a lot of people, and it is something you do not experience every day. I am glad that it happens every summer on the Ljubljanica and that I am part of this story. In terms of competition, this challenge is especially suitable for beach volleyball players, the movement is slower, but because of the water it’s more demanding and there’s less throwing on the ground than on the beach. I would be happy to try it myself someday, but so far I have not had the opportunity, because the event always overlaps with the national team’s preparations or matches. But I can see that both players and spectators always enjoy Volleyball on Water a lot.”

Excited Americans 

This year’s Volleyball on Water event was also an opportunity for a few lucky people to try out the court. Among them were three Americans who, after learning about the event on social media, changed their route through Europe and travelled from Amsterdam to Ljubljana just for this event - they also got the chance to try out the magic of the court! Ariana from Los Angeles: “Crazy! When I showed my friends the videos, they were thrilled. I never imagined that I would even be able to play on this court. This is a truly extraordinary project, and if it were brought to California, it would definitely be a big hit. We do not have such beautiful rivers in our cities as yours, but we do have the sea and lakes, where we could make a real spectacle out of it.”

Side events 

In the show programme, the dancers of Miha Krušič’s Pro Dance studio returned to the Ljubljanica with the story of the River Man. The richest show programme to date was also woven by the masters of acro yoga, dance, and acrobatics from the show Slovenia’s Got Talent - Acro Connection; Slovenia’s most famous illusionist, who has already enchanted and bewitched viewers of television channels such as BBC1, Discovery and Travel Channel - Magic Alexander; and for this event, the Classy Band gathered, who performed some Ljubljana evergreens on the Voice of Ljubljanica programme.